The "P" word
The worst-kept secret in Sabreland these days is the fact that the team's AHL affiliate next season will be in Portland, Maine. You won't get anybody in the organization to talk about it much or even say the name of that city. It's been a we're-studying-our-options (wink-wink) topic for weeks about the messy depature from Rochester and the move to Lobsterland.
But Tuesday's Tim Kennedy press conference marked the first time the team admitted the move is imminent. Darcy Regier said an announcement on a new farm team is coming in "days" even though he never said the P-word either. Portland officially became open Tuesday afternoon when the Anaheim Ducks moved their minor-league operations from Maine to Des Moines, Iowa (here's the Des Moines Register report).
Meanwhile, the Portland Pirates issued a statement thanking the Ducks for their affiliation and promising bigger and better things with their new parent (wink-wink II). The statement also tweaked a bizarre headline in Tuesday's Portland Press Herald that called the Pirates' future "unsettled." Excuse me? The story even says the Pirates are joining with the Sabres. Silly.
Anyway, here's a key part of the statement from Portland Managing Owner/CEO Brian Petrovek: "We will be introducing our new NHL affiliate to our fans in the near future. ... our future has never been brighter, our expectations never higher. We’re looking forward to the next chapter of Portland Pirates Hockey with a great deal of excitement and optimism."
---Mike Harrington
W, Debbie just makes this stuff up and goes on her angry rants. She credits Cunneyworth with the development of all these players, yet says the guy (Regier) who drafted Roy, Pommers, Vanek, et al, should be canned. She doesn't make a lot of sense.
Posted by: Chad | June 05, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Good news for Portland fans --there are some talented young players coming your way that could be fun to watch. Bad news-- if the Sabres don't hire a decent coach who can teach them how to play the game and if they won't sign a veteran player or two to help teach the players, it could be a long season for Portland fans. It'll be tough for the team to stay competitive in their AHL division.
Posted by: jan | June 05, 2008 at 01:05 PM
And you know this because??? (Fill in answer here please Debbie)
Posted by: W | June 05, 2008 at 12:18 PM
The Sabres are screwed without Cunneyworth. He molds the players before they come up to us. He is responsible for Roy, Pomminville, Gaustad being the players they are. I say boot Lindy for Randy.
Posted by: Debbie | June 05, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Not surprising. I'd be ashamed to announce an affiliation with The Lawrence and Tommy Cheapskate too.
Posted by: Morning Joe | June 04, 2008 at 08:50 AM